It might be time for an update, considering my last blog was about a week ago.
We’ve been in the Phillippines for ten days now, and the first five were spent living in a scrap wood, 6×10 foot shack smack in the middle of one of the 400 slum communities of Metro Manila. As hard core as it sounds, it was really a safe haven. I have felt safer in the slum than I’ve felt around the rest of the city (including the Mall of Asia).
After leaving the slum we met with the Mission Ministries Phillippines crew that oversees all of the church planting activities within the slums. They sure have a lot going on, and their on the field missionaries could sure use any support they can get. If anyone is interested in helping MMP and it’s missionaries out here, please feel free to comment here and I can find the information and email it to you.
The next step was to a hostel. Scott and I had our own space for a night (much needed, might I add). This was followed by a day of getting a visa extension, and celebrating Amy’s birthday. Who knew you could skate in the Phillippines?
Next up was a night at a hydroponics farm. The farm was also an MMP brainchild, however, they are fairly autonomous at this stage. We had the opportunity to plant small tomato plants into a field while getting extremely muddy and also help build a dam using river rocks to make an irrigation system. All that in 24 hours.
Then we were back to the hostel. I should have just rested at that point, but instead I went to the Mall of Asia with the girls to have a girls night of massages and manicures. This was a nice treat, but we didn’t get home (home is so figurative now!) until almost 10 pm. So I hopped in bed. At least we were planning to sleep in the next morning. As we meandered through the following morning, Scott found ESPN on TV, and even better, it was a showing of the previous nights’ Red Sox game. NO WAY! Talk about having the favor of the Lord!
Which leads us to where we are now. We picked up a bus at a terminal close to our hostel yesterday around lunchtime, and headed south, toward Tagaytay. We got off the bus, and were greeted by a cool breeze, and a horde of taxi drivers. We had left Lynette, Rusty, and Leah behind as they’d already seen this area with their MMP contacts. Then we piled into two tricycles (or motor bikes with side cars), with all of our gears, and traveled down windy roads to Talisay.
And here we are, in Talisay, in our air-conditioned room (although it’s a little finicky right now). Last night as we sat down to dinner, we talked about what our plans would look like for the next day. We were scoping this site out as a possible debrief area, but as we walked the streets, we decided it would be a better place for individual teams to visit (as there really is no boardwalk). Talisay is right on the shore of Lake Taal, and Lake Taal is named after the volcano, Taal. Makes sense, right?
So as we figured out our plans, the question was posed, “do we take a Sabbath at all on this trip?” It seems as though we’ve been running and running and running since we’ve arrived in this country. We’re so focused on the set up that we’d forgotten to rest. We’d forgotten that it’s a command.
So, this morning, instead of traveling the streets, visiting hotels, etc… we took a boat out to the volcano, which has a lake in it’s crater (and it’s active although there hasn’t been a large eruption since 1911), and hiked through dense brush to get there in our swimsuits. We tested the water with our toes, and noted how strangely warm the water felt. Our guide said that the water is actually at boiling point across the lake. So, Josh, Amy, Scott, and I braved the 90 degree waters. I didn’t spend much time in there, but the rest of the crew seemed to be enjoying themselves (except for getting the water in their mouth and eyes).
When we returned Josh and Amy wanted to visit a waterfall that we were told was a 5 hour drive away. They ended up going because they didn’t believe our volcano guide. Scott, Alissa, and I thought that we’d rather stay back here and read and nap than be traveling forever. After all, it is our day of rest.
Do you remember watching those Looney Tunes cartoons, when all you’d see is a flash across the screen, and then a figure would stop in the center. You’re probably thinking about the Road Runner, but I’m referring to a slightly smaller character; Speedy Gonzalez. Although we’re not stealing cheese this month, time sure is flying. I can actually see the cloud of dust behind me. So to have a day like today, to rest and spend some time with the Lord, and enjoy His creation was really a blessing.
And for this to really be up to date:
The final morning of our scouting trip to Talisay we ran into a flood. Four of us woke up to Alissa’s concerted effort to get us up and going because of the gathering water on our floor. Needless to say, although that hotel was affordable, it was not dry.
We’ve now made it to 2nd Mile, the location of a few men’s and women’s ministries. Honest Hands, for teenage boys to be discipled, and Working Hands, a vocational school for men who’ve gone through discipleship. And then Mustard Seed, a vocational/ discipleship program for women. Currently the vocational programs offer carpentry, automotive, electronics, metal work, and sewing. We’ve enjoyed our stay at this facility as it is a bit of an oasis. It’s also near the beautiful mountainous town of Tagaytay (where I’m currently blogging).
Please take a look at my pictures in the Browse my Photos sections as I’ve posted a bunch from the last 11 days in the Phillippines.
And on a side note, as Scott adn I are headed into the final stretch of the Race, we’re finding ourselves in need of personal funds. Any financial support we could have from home would be of great use, so if you’re feeling called to give, please contact my mother, Laurel, at [email protected]. Remember that this form of donation is not tax deductible. Thank you. And thank you to everyone who has supported us financially whether through AIM or personally throughout this year. You truly are a blessing to us!
